"Christopher, is it a bad name?"

The Imitation Game

Director -  Morten Tyldum

Stars - Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Mathew Goode, Allen Leech, Mark Strong

Story -  This is the story of Alan Turning, the man who helped win WWII, that no one knew about. He was a brilliant mathematician who lead a team of code breakers to crack the Nazi enigma code. We watch as the team deals with Alan's personality, the trials and tribulations of trying the crack the code, as well as flashbacks to his childhood where we get a glimpse of his private life and the man  he really is, who is gay. We also learn what happens after the war and how Alan fared. 

What Did I think - I think this is one of the best movies I have seen in a long, long time. All I wanted to do after this movie was cry. I can't say why, because I don't want to ruin anything, but it made me extremely sad, and angry at the same time. It told the story of Alan's life at 3 different points in time at the same time.  it gave us an insight into the man that created one of the first computers that helped the allied forces win the War. We were witness to the man who made it all possible and the team that begrudgingly helped him do it. 

The acting was stellar. Cumberbatch was brilliant. He gave us a glimpse into a man who had to endure hardships through out his entire life because of who he was. He might not have had the social skills or understanding of the way "normal" people act, but he was a man who loved what he did and saved the world from the monstrosity of the Nazis. Benedict has an emotional realness to someone who had to hide his very sole to everyone, but gave a little bit peek into a brilliant man.

The rest of the cast was equally great. Keira was wonderful and gave us a performance to remember why we like her in almost everything she is in.

So see this movie at the theater and come back here and tell me what you thought!

Snack & Bevies - PG tips and cucumber sandwiches 

"We ride horses, and they ride their cousins"

American Sniper

Director -  Clint Eastwood

Stars -  Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes

Story - Chris Kyle was a Navy Seal that was the most lethal sniper in US history. 160 confirmed kills out of 255 probable kills.

The story begins with Chris in Iraq faced with shooting a child that is running towards a platoon with a grenade, before we find out his decision it quickly cuts to his childhood, where we see a few of the defining moments from his boyhood. We quickly learn that he was a rodeo cowboy that longs to do something more with his life and signs up to Serve his county. We journey with him through boot camp and meeting his wife. 9-11 happens and he is off on his first of four tours, and we finally find out what his decision was from the beginning of the story. It also focuses on his relationship with his family and how he can't leave the war behind when he is home.

What Did I think -  Ah-Maz-ING!! This was a very intense and raw movie about war and the effects it has on the soldiers that are sent to protect us, and the people they leave back at home. In truth I wanted to see it because I had seen Bradly Cooper in some pictures in his shorty shorts earlier in the year, but after reading about the story it intrigued me even more. 

This was very intense, violent and did not shy away from the realities of war and its lasting affects. We were given a glimpse into the lives of these soldiers and what they go through. I laughed, cried,  and was on the edge of my seat through out the entire movie. I was into the movie the entire time, not once did I think when is this going to end.

Bradley Cooper was the best I have even seen him on the screen. He became Chris Kyle. The way he looked physically, the way he talked, even the way he carried himself was so unlike himself. I was thoroughly impressed with this performance. He made me feel that Chris was not just a mindless soldier intent on killing everything in his path. He gave Chris compassion and heart, he cared for his fellow man and the wanted to help everyone. Makes me want to fly to New York and see Bradley in the Elephant Man on Broadway, One of my favorite story's ever told.

Sienna Miller was also pretty good, usually I am like 'meh'  about her but she did a pretty good. Job. I did keep thinking she was Naomi Watts at different points through out the movie. 

Go see this movie now! Sissy if you see this movie I think you will need two boxes of tissue and stay for the first part of the credits.

Snack & Bevies - Hummus, tabbouleh, pita, stuffed grape leaves and lamb sliders with tzatziki and Casablanca Beer

"Beige, it's a very neutral color."

Paddington

Director -  Paul King

Stars -  Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman, Julie Waters

Story - A  wee bear from deepest, darkest Peru looses his home and is sent to London to find a new family and home. A family takes him in to help him find a home, and the explorer that said he would always be welcome in London. All sorts of tomfoolery ensues and an evil Taxidermist from the British Natural History Museum is looking for the missing "specimen" for the museum' s collection.

What Did I think -  Such a sweet and funny movie. It has the right mix of kiddo/Adult humor. It was very British and had a great sense of whimsy and fantasy. It had a great feel to the movie, very similar to the fantasy sequences in Amelie . It was a feast for my eyes.

They story was not earth shattering, and has been done many times, but kept a good pace, and did not lag at all.  I don't remember the Paddington stories, so I am unsure how true to the books this is, but it did look like they updated somethings to fit in today's world, since these stories are from the 50's

The acting was great and I loved all the cameos from a lot of British actors like, Imelda Stanton, Michael Gambon, Matt Lucas, and many more. 

While this movie was not one I was planning to see, babysitting duties commenced, and we decided to take them to the movies, I am glad we saw it. It you are looking for a fun movie that is beautiful to watch go see this cheery little chap's story.

Snack & Bevies -  Marmalade Sandwiches on French baguettes(so exotic) and they have all the nutrients and Vit-a-mins a bear needs everyday. And don't forget a spot of Earl Grey.

Movies From My Couch: "You all should listen to her, she is a smart lady."

Boyhood

Director -  Richard Linklater

Stars -  Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater

Story -  Coming of age story as seen through the eyes of a boy. His life and how he experiences it, from living with his single mother, his free-spirited dad, friends, to the moments in life that we all can relate to. It was filmed over 12 years with the same cast.

What Did I think =  It was alright. I think it was innovative in that it was filmed over 12 years with the same cast, and the story kept me intrigued to see what else was going to happen. 

The actors were good, but I would not say anyone was extraordinary. I think all the hype about this movie is that is was filmed over 12 years, more so than the actual story. 

It's a slice of life move, with no real definitive story, just the life journey of a boy into into adulthood. 

Snack & Bevies -  Pop-corn, Cheetos, Chips, Dips and grape soda!

Movies from my couch: "It's never about you"

Supermensch: the Legend of Shep Gordon

Director - Mike Myers

Stars - Alice Cooper, Mike Douglas, Tom Arnold, Emeril, and many more

Story - The life story of super manager Shep Gordon. From a 2 bit drug dealer to one of the most important people in popular culture, this documentary tells the tale of a truly nice guy who managed some of the most popular celebrities of our time from Alice Cooper, to Luther Vandross. It also delves into his personal life and thoughts on life

So what did I think? -  You are probably thinking who the eff is Shep? I was thinking the same thing as I was perusing the 99 cents documentaries on Apple TV this afternoon. So I watched the trailer and was hooked.

 It was so interesting to see how this man was in the right place at the right time with Jimi Hendricks and Janis Joplin no less, and was able to promote all of these iconic people, and help mold popular culture. Then it delved into his personal life and his interests, and made him even more amazing.
We also have Shep to thank for bringing all of these celebrity chefs into our lives and food TV.

If you like to peer behind and pay attention to the man behind the curtain, this is certainly a movie you will not want to miss. It gives you an insight into a creative mind and a big heart.

Snacks & Bevies - A great snack for this viewing would be loaded latkes and an ice cold Jai Alai IPA.

"Espresso? Is that like refer?"

BIG EYES

Director - Tim Burton

Stars - Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz

Story - Basically its about the painter Margaret D.H. Keane, she painted the big eyed children of the 60's, see below. She meets this man, Walter, after she has run away from an unhappy marriage and moves to San Francisco. He is charismatic and is a fellow painter (not so much). He kind of takes her paintings and created a buzz around them and then tells everyone he did them. The paintings and Walter become a huge success, but Margaret has to hide herself away and create the paintings while he flirts around town meeting famous people and getting all the accolades.  She finally has had enough and breaks free, moves to paradise, finds Jesus and decides the world needs to know the truth. There's a court case, then its over.

So what did I think? - Good, a bit slow in parts, but overall a interesting look into Margaret's life and how she dealt with what was thrown at her by someone who supposedly loved her.

It is always interesting to me to see into the lives of others and how they interact in the world. It amazes me how people can blatantly treat people like they are only there to support them. That their dreams and aspirations are the only things that matter. It's sad that there are people in the world like that. Now with that being said, this film is from the viewpoint of Margaret, and only shows her side of the story, and we all know there are 3 sides to every story. 

It was shot beautifully and a lot of the landscapes looked like paintings to me, especially the overhead shot of Hawaii. Not your typical Tim Burton film, more direct story telling with a few fantasy scenes that let you know what it's like to be in Margaret's head.

Amy Adams was terrific playing the scared meek woman, who comes into her own and realizes that she is what matters. Christoph Waltz is amazing as the charismatic crook who thinks that he is the Keane that everyone loves. Terrance Stamp has a very small part in the movie, but it is always a treat when he is on screen.

I recommend seeing this movie if you're a fan of Keane's art and want to find out what she went through to get where she is today. By the way, Mat thought it was just OK.

So my friend Carroll(vanillalemonade.com), her blog is amazing, suggested that I add some food and beverage suggestions to these reviews for when they become available for home viewing. With that being said, I think a great paring for this movie would be a Swiss fondue with a nice Riesling, especially Black Tower if you can find it.

In the Beginning...

I posted all the movies I saw last year(2014) on my Facebook page a few days ago and got a few responses from friends, but one in particular got me thinking. It was from my friend Marq, with a Q, he said that I should start a blog, and write about the movies I see. I have been wanting to start a blog but was trying to figure out what to write about, and so here I am with my first post. 

Now I can't promise this will be anything but me giving my 2 cents about the movies I see , and a way for me the record what movies I have seen through out the year. But what do I have to loose? Right? So I hope you enjoy what i have to say and remember:

Go To The Movies!

Here is the list of the movies I saw in 2014:

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
The Secret Life if Walter Mitty
The Wolf of Wall Street
I am Divine
her
August: Osage County
Monument Men
12 Years a Slave
Robocop
Divergent
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Disney's Bears
Oculus
The Other Woman
Under the Skin
Jodorowsky's DUNE
Neighbors
Godzilla
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Belle
And so it goes
LUCY
Dawn of the apes
Maleficent
Jersey boys
Chef
XMen Days of Future Past
Guardians of the Galaxy
100 foot journey
The Maze Runner
This is where I leave you
Box trolls
Annabelle
Dracula Untold
Ouija
Interstellar
MockingJay Part 1
Birdman
Big Hero 6
Gone Girl
The Pyramid
Exodus:Gods & Kings
Into the Woods